Steve Bruce has enjoyed many satisfying Saturdays on his return to the Premier League as manager of Hull.

But this one has probably topped the lot – because it gave him exactly what he wanted.

George Boyd’s delicately-placed header from Liam Rosenior’s 39th-minute cross handed Bruce the three points he craved to virtually guarantee the Tigers keeping their place among English football’s big guns.

Hull will head to Wembley in good heart and Bruce said: “We are nine points clear of the drop zone and, even though Fulham and West Brom have both won to concertina things at the bottom of the table, it will take a huge turnaround to put us in trouble.

“It’s not quite over in the league yet, but let’s put that to bed for a week and enjoy concentrating on the cup.”

“We’re not safe and I don’t know why anyone would celebrate 33 points,” said Monk. “It’s not good enough for the quality of players we’ve got.”

Just 10 years ago, these two sides were crossing swords in the fourth tier of English football.

Now they are battling to establish themselves in the Premier League after a stunning turnaround in fortune for both clubs.

And they each went into this crunch showdown knowing a victory would all-but secure their top-flight status for another season.

But confidence would have been fragile in both camps, with Hull having won only one of their previous six home league games while Swansea were without an away win in 10 attempts since beating Fulham last November.

The Tigers suffered a huge blow just before kick-off when playmaker Tom Huddlestone was forced to pull out with a sore back.

Yet that did not stop them from making a bright start. Maynor Figueroa pumped in a cross and Shane Long, unmarked at the far post, looked a certain scorer.

But the £7million striker’s first-time volley was brilliantly turned behind by Michel Vorm.

Swansea’s first genuine threat on goal came from Jonathan de Guzman, who cleverly cut inside Figueroa in the 26th minute before having his rising drive blocked by Hull skipper Curtis Davies.

Boyd, who had caused the visitors no end of problems with his rampaging runs down the left, nearly set up a second goal eight minutes after the break.

He left Angel Rangel trailing in his wake before firing over a cross which Chico Flores managed to clear before Long got the chance to pounce.

Swansea came more into the game, but tame finishes from Wilfried Bony, twice, Jonjo Shelvey and Nathan Dyer failed to trouble Steve Harper.